Ford to build Mustang, F-150 hybrids by 2020

Ford is working on some pretty significant changes to the Mustang lineup.

Handout, Ford

That's right – by the end of the decade, we'll have a hybrid muscle car

by
Nick Tragianis | January 3, 2017

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Ford has hatched a plan to build seven electrified vehicles by the end of the decade.

Earlier today, Ford CEO Mark Fields announced the plan at the automaker’s assembly plant in Flat Rock, Michigan. The plans include a multitude of electrified vehicles, including two surprises – a hybrid F-150 and Mustang.

Ford is tight-lipped on the details, but it did did drop a few hints as to what we can expect. The F-150 hybrid will be built at Ford’s truck plant in Dearborn, Michigan. The powertrain is said to double as a mobile generator for work sites, and it’ll be sold in North America and Middle East after its 2020 debut.

The Ford F-150 continues to be Canada’s best-selling vehicle – and pretty soon, there’s going to be a hybrid version.

Thought Dodge’s all-wheel-drive Challenger was a huge plot twist in the muscle car world? Think again – Ford’s announcement to build a Mustang hybrid by 2020 is nothing short of surprising. Ford promises “V8 power” with “more low-end torque;” with the days of the V6-powered Mustang seemingly numbered, Ford will likely use its 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine in this application.

The automaker also announced it no longer intends to invest US$1.6 billion to build a new factory in Hermosillo, Mexico. Instead, Ford will invest US$700 million at two plants – and move Focus production to Mexico – to accommodate production of the autonomous ride-sharing EV, plus the Mustang and F-150 hybrids.

Along with the F-150 and Mustang hybrids, Ford announced a plug-in hybrid variant of the Transit for the Europe in 2019, along with a couple of (likely) Taurus- and Explorer-based hybrids for its Police Interceptor lineup, and a fully electric crossover – complete with a 480+ kilometre range – by 2020. A “high-volume,” fully electric autonomous vehicle, designed for ride-sharing, is in the pipeline for 2021.